Best Electric Toothbrushes
Best Toothbrush Overall
Best Toothbrush for Gum Health
Best Toothbrush for Kids
Best Toothbrush for Sensitivity
What you need to know about electric toothbrushes
Electric vs. manual toothbrushes — does it really matter?
In short, yes. While both manual and electric toothbrushes can effectively clean teeth and remove plaque, electric toothbrushes generally do a better job.
Electric toothbrushes don’t require nearly as much force or movement on your part. Since the brush head moves on its own, it’s not up to you to guess how much pressure or what motion to use. This greatly reduces the chances of brushing too hard, which can cause enamel damage, gum irritation, and recession. It’s also easier on people who might struggle with the wrist and arm movement of manually brushing teeth.
But gentleness isn’t the only benefit. Electric toothbrushes are generally more effective than manual brushes because they’re motor-powered and can spin, oscillate and vibrate in a way that’s not possible by hand. Trusted brands like Oral-B and Philips promise whitening within one week and 500% more plaque removal, compared to a manual toothbrush.
Features to look for
The ADA Seal of Acceptance
There are a lot of new electric toothbrushes on the market today, some with ultra-sleek designs and promises of effectiveness. But how do you know which brushes are both safe and effective? The American Dental Association gives its stamp of approval to tried-and-true toothbrushes, both electric and manual. A list of ADA-approved electric toothbrushes is available on their website.
Return policy
After a few uses, you might find that the brush isn’t well-suited for you — Maybe it tickles or isn’t gentle enough. Before you make your purchase, check the brand’s refund policy. Many of the big names offer a money-back guarantee on their electric brushes, which can help you feel good about making the investment.
Oscillating motion
In general, there are two types of motions for electric toothbrush bristles: oscillating, and vibrating. Oscillating is a back-and-forth motion, which tends to be more effective than vibrating alone. Most of the best electric toothbrushes do both.
Appropriate size
Toothbrushes don’t typically come in various sizes aside from kid and adult, and probably it’s pretty obvious which of the two you need. That said, make sure the toothbrush isn’t too big or small.
Electric toothbrush heads are often smaller than manual brush heads, which is actually a benefit. A smaller brush head means that it can reach more nooks and crannies, like behind your lower front teeth. Also consider the handle size. A brush with a longer neck will enable you to reach back further, cleaning those notoriously tough-to-reach back teeth.
Sensitivity settings
Having several options when it comes to intensity is a game-changer. If you have areas of recession or sensitivity, you can use a gentler setting, while reserving a more intense setting for the parts of your teeth that can handle a deeper clean.
Stiffness
In general, soft bristles are better. Gums and teeth are more sensitive than they seem, and you want to avoid wearing them down. Soft bristles are usually still tough enough to break down plaque and debris without harming your mouth.
Accessories
Electric toothbrushes often come with several accessories that boost the value, like additional replacement brush heads, a travel case, or a charging cup.
Best Toothbrush Overall
This toothbrush sounds like it belongs in the era of flying cars and jetpacks. Using artificial intelligence, the Oral-B GENIUS X will recognize your brushing style and send feedback to a smartphone app.
That’s right —The GENIUS X actually uses motion sensors to track the toothbrush’s location as you’re brushing. The app will then use that data to give you tips on how to get the best brush every time. If you’re consistently missing a spot, the app will let you know, ideally preventing accidental plaque buildup.
In addition to after-the-fact data, the GENIUS X provides real-time feedback. Some people are naturally aggressive brushes, but unfortunately, using too much pressure can damage your gums. The GENIUS X will alert you in the moment if you’re pressing too hard, allowing you to correct the problem before you do any damage.
Multiple modes
You can choose from six brushing modes to fit your preferences and goals, including sensitive and whitening. These modes allow you to target different areas of your mouth strategically. Maybe you want to use sensitive mode on your gum line and get a deeper clean throughout the rest of your mouth. The GENIUS X makes it easy to do both.
Long-lasting battery
The GENIUS X comes with a rechargeable handle that’s powered by a lithium-ion battery. One full charge can last you two weeks of brushing, so you don’t have to worry about packing the charger on shorter trips.
A trusted brand
If the features haven’t yet convinced you of this toothbrush’s quality, keep in mind that Oral-B is the #1 dentist-recommended toothbrush brand worldwide. Plus, it comes with a 60-day risk-free trial — If you’re not happy with it, you can get your money back.
Best Toothbrush for Gum Health
Gum-friendly features
Receding and damaged gums can cause pain and tooth sensitivity. The Sonicare ProtectiveClean comes with several features to protect your gums from both over-brushing and ineffective brushing. First, the pressure sensor will gently pulse to alert you if you’re pressing too hard. There’s also a “gum care” mode, which ensures gentle yet effective cleaning.
Personalized brushing experience
Whether you’re looking to whiten teeth, protect your gums, or simply get a post-dentist-clean feeling, there’s a mode for you. Choose from clean, white, and gum care every time. Within each mode, there are also three intensities to choose from.
Helpful reminders
The Sonicare ProtectiveClean features a nifty tool for keeping yourself honest: a built-in timer. The timer goes off after 2 minutes, which is the dental professional recommended brushing time.
Another unique feature is the brush head replacement reminder, which comes in the form of a beep. As with any toothbrush, the bristles become less effective over time due to wear. But if you’re like most people, keeping track of the last time you changed your toothbrush head isn’t top of mind. With the Sonicare ProtectiveClean, you’ll never have to guess when to replace your brush head, thanks to the automatic reminders.
Best Toothbrush for Kids
Spinfast technology
The Kid’s Spinbrush features stationary lower bristles as well as an oscillating head that works to clean in between teeth. Plus, it now spins 20% faster for an even cleaner experience.
Battery-powered
When you’re teaching a kid healthy brushing habits, the last thing you want is a barrier that makes it tougher, like a dead battery. This toothbrush is powered by one AA battery, so your child never has to remember to charge it.
Designed for kids
The Kid’s Spinbrush is designed with tiny hands and mouths in mind. The soft-bristle power head is kid-sized and gentle, ensuring a clean and comfortable brushing experience. Plus, the power buttons are covered in a soft rubber that prevents water from leaking inside the brush.
Fun characters
Super Mario-themed characters on the front of the toothbrush make brushing exciting for kids. For a kid that isn’t the most eager to get in the routine, any excitement you can associate with the routine helps.
Best Toothbrush for Sensitivity
Interactive experience
The Oral-B iO Series 9 offers one of the most personal experiences you could expect from a toothbrush. The interactive color display clearly communicates which mode you’re using, battery level, and the 2-minute brushing timer. The screen also displays cute messages based on the time of day, a nice touch.
There’s also a smart pressure sensor at the base of the brush head, which glows red when you’re pressing too hard and green when you’re doing alright. With this brush, you’re never left guessing.
Lastly, you can connect the brush to a smartphone app that will give you data, like your total brush time, pressure, the percent of your mouth you covered, and whether or not you brushed your tongue. While this may seem a little overboard, it’s a fun way to turn a mundane task into a fun challenge.
Quick-charge station
The lock-in-place magnetic charger ensures a full battery in roughly three hours. That way, you can take it on the go, even for last-minute plans.
Dentist-inspired brush head
The round brush head is designed to clean expertly, combining gentle, twisted bristles with powerful micro-vibrations and an oscillating motion. This design ensures a deep, professional-feeling clean throughout every contour, while protecting your gums and enamel from over-brushing.
FAQs about Electric Toothbrushes
Are electric toothbrushes worth the money?
While the ADA says that both electric toothbrushes and manual toothbrushes can adequately clean teeth, electric toothbrushes take a lot of the effort and guesswork of doing a good job off of your plate. So, whether it’s worth it depends on your current situation. If you’d like a simpler experience or if you’re having difficulties with a manual brush, it’s a worthy investment.
How much should I spend on an electric toothbrush?
Many of the top-notch power toothbrushes cost somewhere in the neighborhood of $200. While this isn’t cheap, you usually get what you pay for. If it’s an ADA-trusted brand, like Oral-B, Arm and Hammer, or Philips, you’re paying for years of research and development. Some newer brands offer cheaper alternatives, but there’s not as much scientific data to prove their effectiveness.